The design was built by Beneteau in France, from 1977 to 1982, starting as a 1978 model year. About 300 boats were completed, but it is now out of production.[1][2][3][4][10][11][12]
The boat has a draft of 3.77 ft (1.15 m) with the standard long keel.[1][2][3][4]
The boat is fitted with an inboarddiesel engine of 12 or 25 hp (9 or 19 kW) for docking and manoeuvring. The fuel tank holds 13 U.S. gallons (49 L; 11 imp gal) and the fresh water tank has a capacity of 23 U.S. gallons (87 L; 19 imp gal).[1][2][3][4][9]
The design has sleeping accommodation for five people, with a double "V"-berthberth in the bow cabin, a drop down dinette table that forms a double berth in the main salon and an aft quarter berth on the port side. The galley is located on the port side just forward of the companionway ladder. The galley is of straight configuration and is equipped with a two-burner stove, an ice box and a sink. The head is located just aft of the bow cabin. Cabin headroom is 68 in (173 cm).[1][2][3][4][9]
For sailing downwind the design may be equipped with a symmetrical spinnaker of 506 sq ft (47.0 m2).[4][9]